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SEC Football: Assessing the top QBs from the 2016 recruiting class

By Erich Hilkert

Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Eason (10) attempts a pass during the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Georgia Dome. Georgia won 33-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports
Sep 3, 2016; Atlanta, GA, USA; Georgia Bulldogs quarterback Jacob Eason (10) attempts a pass during the 2016 Chick-Fil-A Kickoff game against the North Carolina Tar Heels at Georgia Dome. Georgia won 33-24. Mandatory Credit: Jason Getz-USA TODAY Sports /
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Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) throws against the Clemson Tigers during the second quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Jan 9, 2017; Tampa, FL, USA; Alabama Crimson Tide quarterback Jalen Hurts (2) throws against the Clemson Tigers during the second quarter in the 2017 College Football Playoff National Championship Game at Raymond James Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /

Less-heralded, but the best at this point

The two best quarterbacks from the 2016 class as of now are South Carolina’s Jake Bentley and Alabama’s Jalen Hurts. Bentley and Hurts were both four-star recruits, but neither was as highly rated as Eason, Patterson, Franks or Guarantano.

While Bentley essentially only started half of the 2016 season, he threw for 1,420 yards and had the highest completion percentage (65.8) in the SEC among statistical qualifiers. Bentley had the fifth-highest quarterback rating among SEC quarterbacks.

He took an alarmingly high number of sacks (24), fourth most in the SEC. South Carolina’s offensive line is partly to blame. Still, Bentley needs to get the ball out sooner.

Hurts is impressive on this list because he showed tremendous poise in 2016, something necessary for the expectations that come with playing for Alabama. He had the sixth-highest quarterback rating in the SEC, just behind Bentley.

Producing 36 combined touchdowns was Hurts’ most impressive stat, third in the SEC behind senior Joshua Dobbs and sophomore Nick Fitzgerald. He threw the third-highest number of touchdowns in the SEC behind Dobbs and Austin Allen (and tied with Drew Lock).

Next: 5 reasons the Crimson Tide will win the SEC again

While Hurts only threw nine interceptions, he must cut down on the fumbles. He fumbled the ball 11 times in 2016.

All in all, it is still way too early to accurately assess the 2016 SEC quarterback class. That said, it is clear the 2016 quarterback class is full of talent, talent that will emerge more fully in the 2017 season.

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